Places: Scandinavia

I've always been into Scandinavian design: clean lines, fine craftsmanship, and a modernist view, what's not to love? I've been taking style and design cues from the Swedes/Danes for quite some time. My boyfriend Tyler and I set out to explore this design nerd's paradise and compiled a list of some of our favorite spots.

Stockholm:

Acne Archive: An Acne lover’s paradise, filled with past seasons' clothing at majorly discounted prices. A nice mix of the classics and some really out-there pieces. Can’t find your shoe size? They have more in the back.

Grandpa: Located in the hip area of Soldermalm, this boutique carries a fun, curated selection of Scandinavian clothing brands, vintage, homewares, and tons more.

Papercut: A quaint store with an amazing selection of local and international publications on art, fashion, design, music, and much more. A haven for magazine junkies and design nerds alike.

Byredo: This brand is quickly becoming a cult favorite and while they have several store locations, Stockholm is their home base. Spend a few minutes sniffing everything and dousing yourself in smell good before exploring the nearby shops.

Nitty Gritty: This store is my dream closet, selling everything from A.P.C. to Comme Des Garcons, plus some Scandi designers and their own in-house line.

Kalf and Hansen: A delicious lunch spot run by a father and son team, serving up authentic Swedish meatballs in a modern way.

Snickarbacken 7: A cafe, gallery space, and concept boutique all in one place. The cafe is great for a coffee break (or as the swedes say “Fika”) or breakfast/ lunch. Be sure to check out the boutique in back, selling everything from clothing and accessories to books and antiques.

Omnipollos Hatt: A homey pizza and beer bar sporting unique decor elements like blue marbled floors and baubles hanging from the ceiling. Co-created by one of the founders of popular Scandi clothing line Cheap Monday.

Fotografiska: A true meeting place for contemporary photography. It is a photo gallery, bookstore, and cafe all rolled into one. A must see.

Sven Harry Museum: It seems like no museum in Stockholm is just a museum. This brass building is home to an art gallery, restaurant, and most uniquely a replica of Sven Harry’s former manor...not to mention the replica is placed on the roof of the building and features his art collection that he built up over the past 35 years.

Miss Clara Hotel: This art nouveau building that once housed a boarding school is now a well-designed gem. The rooms are a minimalist's dream and the breakfast buffet is to die for.

Copenhagen:

Hay House: This Danish furniture store is filled with simple and functional yet beautiful pieces for the home. They also have a shop in the back with well-designed stationary and knick knacks. I picked up an armful of stuff for my home office.

Paper Collective: A quaint shop selling artist prints, and a portion of each poster sold goes to the charity of the artist's choice. What's not to love?

Playtype: Another cute design shop with a focus on typography. They sell posters, stationary, cups, etc.

Ganni: One of my favorite brands just happens to be Danish. I checked out their flagship store and even got to visit the showroom.

Host: Serving up what the locals call "New Nordic" in tasting menu style portions. They also received two prestigious awards for their unpretentious yet lovely design.

Grod: Or "porridge" in English...a cozy cafe that sells just that. They get creative with the dishes and serve up a wide range from congee to risotto.

Coffee Collective: A micro-roastery with several locations around the city. To achieve their goal of making the best coffee, they are cooperating with farmers to develop a sustainable production with fair wages that in turn improves the quality of the coffee.

Mikkler Bar: A beer bar with 15 taps, cheese, and snacks. I'm not a huge fan of beer but I liked their sour.

The Round Tower: The oldest functioning observatory in Europe (also great for Instagram photos).

National Aquarium: Also called the Den Bla Planet. We didn't actually make it inside, but it had amazing architecture!

SP34: This hotel, located near the Latin Quarter in central Copenhagen, has made it to the list of the world’s 60 best new hotels in 2015 for its unique decor and lighthearted atmosphere.